VLSI cuts fab-tool outlook to minus 49%

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- VLSI Research Inc. has reduced its IC-equipment forecast--again.

The most significant change in VLSI's forecast is the downgrading of IC equipment sales from a decline of 26 percent to minus 49 precent in 2009.

This represents a change in forecast. Following a 25.3 percent decline in 2008, revenue from IC equipment sales is expected to drop an additional 26.3 percent in 2009, according to the revised forecast earlier this month. In recent times, VLSI Research (Santa Clara, Calif.) said IC equipment would fall by 25 percent in 2009.

Fab utilization rates continued to sink, especially in the back-end, according to the firm. ''December shipments for electronics were 16 percent lower than a year ago,'' according to the firm. ''OEM semiconductor inventories and die banks were the only areas where there were noticeable improvements. But a deteriorating demand remains a stumbling block, making 2009 a very tough year for the industry.''